Active Biotech (NASDAQ OMX NORDIC: ACTI)
announced today the initial results from the ANYARA Phase II/III clinical
study.
The study encompassed 513 patients and was designed to evaluate the effect
of
ANYARA in combination with interferon-alpha, compared with interferon-alpha
alone, in patients with advanced renal cell cancer. The primary endpoint
was
overall survival (OS).

The results showed that the ANYARA Phase II/III study did not achieve its
primary endpoint to show a prolonged OS in the ITT population.
Unexpectedly, and
in contrast to previous studies in other territories, a majority of the
patients
in the current study had high levels of pre-formed antibodies against the
superantigen component of ANYARA. A subgroup analysis, excluding patients
with
high levels of pre-formed antibodies, resulted in a trend for survival
benefit
with ANYARA treatment. Furthermore, baseline levels of the biomarker IL-6
was
shown to be an important predictive marker for a positive treatment effect
of
ANYARA.

In a hypothesis generating subgroup analysis, the 25 % of patients with
low/normal levels of base line IL-6 and expected anti-superantigen antibody
levels, showed a statistically significant treatment advantage on both OS
(p=0.02, HR=0.59) and PFS. In North America and Western Europe, this
subgroup
account for 40-50% of the total number of advanced renal cell cancer
patients.

"The presence of pre-formed antibodies in a high number of patients was
unexpected and we are disappointed that the primary endpoint of this trial
was
not reached. However, there is a treatment effect in a significant subgroup
of
patients, and this observation is congruent with ANYARAs mode of action"
said
Tomas Leanderson, President & CEO Active Biotech. "Based on these data, we
will
seek a partner for the continued development of this unique, targeted,
immune
therapy".

The safety profile was good and in line with previous observations; the
most
common adverse events associated with ANYARA treatment were grade 1-2
fever,
nausea or vomiting. No new and unexpected safety concerns were identified
in the
study.

Additional analyses of the ANYARA Phase II/III study data are ongoing, and
results will be submitted for presentation at a scientific congress later
in the
year. The company will also discuss future development strategies with
major
regulatory authorities.

ABOUT THE ANYARA PHASE II/III STUDY

The Phase II/III study was designed to evaluate the effect of ANYARA in
combination with interferon-alpha, compared with interferon-alpha alone, in
patients with advanced renal cell cancer. The primary endpoint was overall
survival (OS). In May 2008, a positive interim analysis of safety and
efficacy
was performed and the study continued into the Phase III part. Enrollment
of
513 patients was completed in June 2009 and recruited patients from
approximately 50 sites in Europe (UK, Ru, Uk, Bu, Ro). Secondary endpoints
in
the study were Progression Free Survival (PFS) and safety.

ABOUT ANYARA

ANYARA is a TTS (Tumor Targeting Superantigen) compound that makes the
treatment
of cancer tumor-specific. The development of ANYARA is mainly focused on
renal
cell cancer. Positive data was reported from clinical Phase I trials in
lung
cancer, renal cell cancer and pancreatic cancer. In July 2009, the results
from
two Phase I studies of ANYARA were published in the Journal of Clinical
Oncology, where ANYARA was studied both as a single agent (monotherapy) and
in
combination with an established tumor therapy - docetaxel (Taxotere®)
- in
patients with advanced cancer. The results showed that ANYARA was well
tolerated
both as monotherapy and in combination with docetaxel. ANYARA has been
granted
orphan-drug status by the EMA for the indication renal cell carcinoma.

ABOUT RENAL CELL CARCINOMA

Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) affects approximately 180,000 people worldwide
each
year. Half of patients are affected by metastases. If the disease has
metastasized, average survival is around 2 years. The survival rate of
patients
diagnosed with renal cancer is only 5-15% after five years. The market for
treatment of RCC is estimated at approximately USD 2.7 billion per year
(EvaluatePharma March 2012). Approved first line treatments are Sutent,
Avastin
+ IFN, Torisel and Votrient. Approved for second line treatment are Nexavar
and
Everolimus.

ABOUT ACTIVE BIOTECH

Active Biotech AB (NASDAQ OMX NORDIC: ACTI) is a biotechnology company with
focus on autoimmune/inflammatory diseases and cancer. Projects in pivotal
phase
are laquinimod, an orally administered small molecule with unique
immunomodulatory properties for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, TASQ
for
prostate cancer and ANYARA primarily for the treatment of renal cell
cancer. In
addition, laquinimod is in Phase II development for Crohn's and Lupus. The
company also has one additional project in clinical development, the orally
administered compound 57-57 for Systemic Sclerosis. Please visit
www.activebiotech.com for more information.

Active Biotech is obligated to publish the information contained in this
press
release in accordance with the Swedish Securities Market Act. This
information
was provided to the media for publication 8:30 a.m. CET on January 28,
2013.

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